Cairn T

Loughcrew Complex

Carnbane East

Loughcrew passage tomb cemetery, also known as Slieve na Calliagh, meaning Hill of the Witch, is situated South East of Oldcastle, Co Meath. There are over 30 mounds and cairns, mostly on the two main hills, Carnbane East and Carnbane West. The Cairns are identified with letters, Cairn T pictured top left is the largest on Carnbane East, approximately 120 ft in diameter, this cairn was covered in white quartz the same as used at Newgrange. .
Cairn T also has the Irish cruciform layout with a large central chamber and side chambers and also similar to the mounds at the Boyne Valley complex there are a lot of inscribed stones. pictured right are the kerbstones of Cairn S. On Carnbane West cairns D and L are the largest, excavations of cairn H found bone objects decorated in the La Tene art style. The tombs were built around 3000 BC. The image below shows L1 the first of the inscribed stones inside Cairn T.

Cairn S

Photo: Camilla Olsson

Situated: From Oldcastle take the R195 to Millbrook branch left and take a narrow road up to a small car-park, during the summer months there may be a guide there, for the walk around the grassy hilltops allow about 1 1/2 hours.

Discovery Map 42. Last visit May 2002.

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

 

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